Floods – Army Intensifies Rescue Operations as Upper Assam Faces Worsening Deluge

Floods –Heavy rainfall has pushed the flood situation in Upper Assam into a critical phase, prompting the deployment of the Indian Army alongside multiple disaster response agencies to rescue stranded residents across several districts. Authorities have expanded relief efforts as rising water levels continue to affect thousands of people, damage infrastructure, disrupt railway services, and inundate large tea-growing regions.

Multi-Agency Rescue Efforts Expanded

According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), coordinated rescue operations are underway in severely affected districts, including Sivasagar and Charaideo. Personnel from the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Fire and Emergency Services, and the Indian Air Force have been mobilised to reach isolated communities, with helicopters and boats being used in areas cut off by floodwaters.

The CMO stated that rescue teams in Sivasagar have safely evacuated 510 people so far. Additional boats and Army helicopters have been deployed to access locations that remain inaccessible by road, while similar operations continue in neighbouring districts experiencing extensive flooding.

Government Monitors Relief Measures

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state government is closely monitoring the situation and has assigned four cabinet ministers to remain in the affected districts to supervise rescue and relief work on the ground. The ministers are coordinating with local authorities to ensure timely assistance reaches residents impacted by the floods.

The Chief Minister said the unusually heavy rainfall recorded over the past few days has significantly worsened the flood conditions across Upper Assam. He reiterated the government’s commitment to providing every possible support to affected families while ensuring rescue operations continue without interruption.

Embankment Protection Work Underway

Alongside rescue activities, authorities have intensified flood-control measures to prevent further damage. Protective work is continuing along vulnerable embankments in Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat.

Officials said sand-filled bags are being placed along the Dikhow embankment, while geobags are reinforcing the banks of the Disang River. Strengthening work is also progressing along the Jhanji embankment in an effort to reduce the risk of additional breaches if water levels remain high.

Thousands Affected Across Seven Districts

Data released by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) shows that more than 57,100 people have been affected across Charaideo, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Tinsukia and Udalguri districts. The agency also confirmed one flood-related death in Sivasagar, raising this year’s flood death toll in Assam to five.

Relief camps and emergency support services remain operational as officials continue assessing the evolving situation across the affected regions.

Tea Industry Faces Severe Damage

The Tea Association of India (TAI) has expressed serious concern over the widespread destruction caused to tea estates in Upper Assam, particularly in the Nazira subdivision of Sivasagar district. The association said heavy rainfall, coupled with a cloudburst in neighbouring Nagaland, caused rivers to rise rapidly, resulting in extensive flooding across plantation areas.

Following a breach in the Dorika River embankment, floodwaters entered tea estates, submerging workers’ quarters, estate hospitals, schools, roads and other essential facilities. Thousands of workers and their families have taken shelter in factory buildings, managers’ residences and other elevated structures within the estates.

TAI noted that Bamonpookrie Tea Estate experienced some of the most severe damage. During the flooding, a pregnant worker gave birth inside the factory after floodwaters prevented her from reaching a hospital. Another expectant mother also required urgent medical care. Estate managements have arranged temporary accommodation, food, safe drinking water and emergency assistance, while acknowledging the district administration for coordinating rescue and medical support.

Rail Services Disrupted by Floodwaters

Flooding has also affected railway connectivity across Upper Assam. Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) suspended train operations on the Simaluguri-Namtiali and Simaluguri-Selenghat sections after water from the swollen Dikhow River submerged railway tracks, station premises and the railway colony at Simaluguri.

NFR Chief Public Relations Officer Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said several long-distance trains originating from Dibrugarh and Tinsukia have been diverted through the Rangiya-Rangapara route on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra. Some local passenger services have been cancelled or terminated before reaching their scheduled destinations.

Railway authorities said food packets, drinking water, passenger assistance counters and ticket refund facilities have been arranged for stranded travellers. Road transport has also been organised between Namtiali and Sibsagar Town, where a special train has been planned to help passengers continue their journey towards Dibrugarh and New Tinsukia.